The Seven Sayings from the Cross: #3 — "To Day Shalt Thou Be with Me in Paradise"
Welcome back to our series, “The Seven Sayings from the Cross.” In our last study, we discussed Christ’s cry on the cross: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do?” Now we come to a declaration of grace spoken to a dying thief who, in his final moments, looked to Jesus and found mercy.
“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
— Luke 23:43
This brief exchange is the story of a condemned man receiving eternal life. This is not through works, not through religion, but through simple, repentant faith in Christ alone.
On either side of Jesus hung two criminals. Both were equally near to the Saviour in distance, but only one came near in faith. Luke 23:39–41 records their words:
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.”
One thief mocked while the other repented. One used his dying breath to curse whereas the other used his to confess. Turning to Jesus, the repentant thief said:
“Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.” — Luke 23:42
His words were simple but sincere. He recognized three things:
His own guilt — “We indeed justly.”
Christ’s innocence — “This man hath done nothing amiss.”
Christ’s kingship — “When thou comest into thy kingdom.”
He saw in the crucified Jesus what the religious leaders could not: a King dying to save His people. To this dying sinner, Jesus replied with astonishing immediacy:
“Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
There was no delay, no probation, no purgatory. To day. The moment faith entered his heart, salvation entered his soul. Salvation is not earned; it is received. It is not delayed until a life of merit is proven, no, it is granted the moment one believes on the Son of God.
Ephesians 2:8–9 declares:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
This scene at Calvary shows us that it is never too late for grace, but also that we should never presume upon it. The repentant thief could do nothing to earn salvation, yet Christ gave him everything.
So it is with us. The same Savior who said “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” still speaks that promise to every sinner who turns to Him in faith. The Lord promises that we can be with Him.
“Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:1